From the military to mechanics, from Reno to mine sites across Nevada, Brent Adams has built a career—and a life—on hard work and integrity. In this episode of Mining Minds , Brent opens up about his early days repairing heavy equipment, the lessons learned in the military, and how raising his hand for every challenge eventually led him into project management at Komatsu Mining . Beyond mining, he shares his passion for fitness, softball, and family, along with candid stories of failures, lesson...
Jul 31, 2019•1 hr 23 min
In this episode of Mining Minds , we sit down with Curtis Cadwell, a mining leader who has built a career on bridging cultures, driving innovation, and staying connected to the people at the face. From his beginnings as an accountant in New Mexico to managing global operations across Nevada, Australia, and now South Carolina, Curtis shares stories of lessons learned, challenges faced, and the importance of digging in alongside your team. We talk about the evolution of mining technology, the role...
Jul 24, 2019•1 hr 23 min
From summer jobs in Beatty to becoming a seasoned underground electrician at Cortez, John Allsup has lived the mining life from every angle. In this episode of Mining Minds, John opens up about growing up in a mining family, chasing education, and finding his path through the trades. He recalls wild summer student jobs that would never fly under today's safety standards, the crash of Las Vegas construction that pushed him north, and the culture shock of going underground for the first time. Beyo...
Jul 17, 2019•1 hr 8 min
Transforming a workforce known for long shifts, fatigue, and tough conditions into one that thrives in health and wellness? In this inspiring episode of Mining Minds , health and wellness coach Natashia Dallin shares her journey from teaching science in rural Nevada to helping miners and their families change their lives. From her early exposure to mining in Alaska to coaching miners through shift work, nutrition pitfalls, and habit change, Natashia blends science, psychology, and practical stra...
Jul 10, 2019•1 hr 22 min
From walking into Elko without a job to becoming the coordinator of a world-class mine rescue team, Tito Segovia's journey is one of drive, discipline, and passion for leadership. In this episode of Mining Minds , Tito opens up about his early beginnings in retail, breaking into mining, and how his competitive spirit and work ethic propelled him from the warehouse to emergency response. He shares raw insights into the pressures of mine rescue competitions, the lessons learned from failure, and t...
Jul 03, 2019•1 hr 15 min
In this powerful episode of Mining Minds , firefighter and paramedic Gilbert "Junior" Aguirre shares his journey of resilience, family, and unshakable determination. From his early struggles and finding his calling in the fire service to battling leukemia head-on, Junior opens up about the mental strength it takes to face life's hardest moments. He speaks about the brotherhood of firefighting, the unseen dangers of cancer in the profession, and how endurance races became a way to raise awareness...
Jun 26, 2019•1 hr 22 min
In this episode of the Mining Minds Podcast, we sit down with Ill Zakiel —a former underground miner turned hip-hop artist. Born in Guadalajara and raised in Carlin, Nevada, He shares his journey from haul truck operator to face miner and ultimately making the leap into music full-time .He talks about the adrenaline of his first cage ride underground, the heat and hazards of face mining, and the lessons of brotherhood and safety learned in Nevada's mines. Ill Zakiel also opens up about overcomin...
Jun 19, 2019•1 hr 24 min
In this episode of the Mining Minds Podcast, we sit down with Scott Arendt , a safety and health professional whose journey through mining has taken him from warehouse work to leadership in contractor safety and training. Scott shares how he broke into mining, the lessons he carried from his time at The Citadel military college, and the value of teamwork, leadership, and humor in building strong crews. Scott opens up about his career path, the challenges of change in the industry, and how he bal...
Jun 12, 2019•1 hr 11 min
Fresh off night shift, Hazen Mascaro sits down with the Mining Minds crew to talk mining life, dozer work, and the reality of keeping haul trucks safe on the dumps. From terrifying first days in a haul truck to mastering the craft of running dozers, Hazen shares the lessons, laughs, and close calls that shaped his career. Beyond the pit, he opens up about mine rescue, family, hunting adventures in the Tetons, and the camaraderie that makes mining more than a job—it's a way of life. This episode ...
Jun 05, 2019•1 hr 2 min
Step inside the high-stakes world of mine rescue with the Mining Minds crew as they share raw stories, unforgettable training moments, and the realities of being first on the scene when everything is on the line. From grueling competitions and rope rescues to life-saving EMT calls and lessons learned in the chaos of real emergencies, this episode uncovers the grit, camaraderie, and problem-solving spirit that define rescue teams. Whether you're in mining, emergency response, or just love hearing...
May 29, 2019•55 min
What happens when a third-generation miner trades his hard hat for a new career in real estate? In this episode of Mining Minds, Derrek Anderson takes us deep into his world—growing up in a mining family, cutting his teeth as an electrician, facing the pressure of shovel breakdowns with fleets on standby, and building lifelong friendships forged in dust and diesel. From late-night callouts and frozen pit roads to unexpected modeling gigs and the tough decision to walk away from mining, Derrek sh...
May 22, 2019•1 hr 8 min
In this episode of the Mining Minds Podcast, we sit down with Kiwi Kaupa, an electrician, entrepreneur, and innovator who has taken his skills from New Zealand and Australia to the mining industry of Nevada. Kiwi shares how his love for fixing things began as a kid, how he built his career through an 8,000-hour apprenticeship, and why he sees mining as both a calling and an opportunity. He talks about transitioning from electrician to lawyer and back to mining, starting his own company, and deve...
May 15, 2019•59 min
Join Mining Minds as we sit down with Ramon Aguirre , an underground miner whose journey spans from the drifts of Nevada to serving his country in the U.S. Army. Ramon shares how his mining career began, what drove him to enlist in the military, and how the lessons of discipline, safety, and brotherhood have carried back into his life underground. Ramon opens up about the challenges of mining and military life, his transition back to the industry, and how family values continue to shape his work...
May 08, 2019•57 min
Mining Minds sit down to tackle a topic that's often considered taboo in the mining community: finances. From making good money at the mine to spending it just as fast, the crew opens up about personal struggles, lessons learned, and strategies for building financial stability. They dive into everything from impulse spending and "keeping up with the Joneses" to debt snowballs, budgeting with cash, planning for retirement, and even teaching kids about money. The conversation also touches on the r...
May 01, 2019•57 min
In this episode of the Mining Minds Podcast, we sit down with Tom Mann , a proud multi-generational miner whose journey began in Idaho and carried him to the pits of Nevada. From running haul trucks, dozers, and blades to earning his seat as a shovel operator, Tom shares stories of adapting to big iron, building crews, and navigating the challenges of man camp life while raising a young family. Tom opens up about the sacrifices miners make—long stretches away from family, tough schedules, and th...
Apr 24, 2019•1 hr 5 min
In this episode of the Mining Minds Podcast , we sit down with Tim Chapman , a Georgia native whose journey took him from football fields and construction sites in the South to the gold mines of Northern Nevada. Tim shares how an accident shifted his path from athletics to heavy equipment, his first days operating haul trucks in a Nevada snowstorm, and the values that have carried him through a diverse mining career. From running dozers and mentoring new operators to becoming a safety and health...
Apr 17, 2019•55 min
In this episode of the Mining Minds Podcast, we sit down with Brad Stocks ( Stocks Mining Services ), known to many as the Rock Doctor and a true veteran of the underground. Growing up around mines with his father, Brad shares stories of cutting his teeth in small operations, driving declines into high-grade veins, and learning the hard lessons that shaped his career. From jacklegging at 19 to supervising major underground projects for some of the world's largest mining companies, Brad talks abo...
Apr 10, 2019•1 hr 5 min
In this episode of the Mining Minds Podcast, we sit down with Nate Trujillo , a seasoned surface miner and supervisor out of Ely, Nevada. From his early days in construction and mining to his return home after years in Las Vegas, Nate shares his career journey, the challenges of mining copper, and the lessons he's learned along the way. Nate opens up about the values that drive him as a leader—coaching, mentoring, and investing in people to build strong crews and lasting careers. He discusses ba...
Apr 03, 2019•58 min
The Mining Minds crew dives deep into the Barrick-Newmont joint venture—a monumental partnership reshaping the mining landscape in Northern Nevada and beyond. Dino, Chris, Derek, and a returning Jason James unpack the backstory, industry implications, miner concerns, and the potential for political and economic ripple effects. From wage competition and union dynamics to exploration potential and permitting politics, this raw, real conversation runs through it all. If you work in mining—or want t...
Mar 27, 2019•46 min
In mining, the face is where the action happens—where the work is done, where the people are, and where the business begins. Mining Minds is a podcast based in one of the world's most prolific gold-producing regions. Drawing from our own experiences and those of miners working at the face, we explore the lives of the individuals driving the industry forward, the communities and companies that support them, and the unique lifestyles they embrace. Through candid conversations and real-world insigh...
Mar 21, 2019•32 min
